[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H8554-H8555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING APPRECIATION OF CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 519) expressing appreciation to the 
people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship 
and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States and 
congratulating Canada as it celebrates ``Canada Day''.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 519

       Whereas the United States has a long-cherished economic, 
     social, and political partnership with Canada;
       Whereas the United States and Canada share not only a 
     5,500-mile border, but also common ideals and cultural 
     affinities;
       Whereas in this era of heightened security, the United 
     States and Canada have renewed cooperative efforts to 
     safeguard the movement of people and goods, improve 
     information-sharing, and strengthen border infrastructure and 
     technology; and
       Whereas July 1st of each year is officially celebrated in 
     Canada as ``Canada Day'' in recognition of the anniversary of 
     the establishment of the union of the British North American 
     provinces in a federation called Canada: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its appreciation to the people and Government 
     of Canada for their long history of friendship and 
     cooperation with the people and Government of the United 
     States; and
       (2) congratulates Canada as it celebrates its annual 
     ``Canada Day''.

                              {time}  1745

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Klein) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Let me begin by thanking the gentleman from Michigan, Bart Stupak, 
for introducing this important resolution and for his steadfast 
leadership in support of a strong U.S.-Canada relationship.
  H. Res. 519 congratulates the Canadian people and their government on 
Canada Day, the anniversary of the establishment of the union of the 
British North American provinces in a federation called Canada. It also 
expresses the appreciation of both the people and the Government of the 
United States for the longstanding cooperation and shared history with 
their Canadian counterparts. This provides an important opportunity for 
all Americans to recognize the common ideals and beliefs that unite our 
two nations economically, socially and politically.
  Canada's sacrifices in Afghanistan are only the latest examples of 
the strong bond between our two nations. Since their initial deployment 
in 2002, Canadian troops have worked tirelessly to maintain security 
and to rebuild in Afghanistan, particularly in Kandahar province.
  Canada has also been a leader in the global effort to promote a 
solution to worldwide carbon reduction, an issue which affects us all 
and which draws us even closer together as nations that share a common 
border. Canada's plan to reduce carbon emissions and their work through 
the United Nations' Framework Convention On Climate Change has been a 
significant step in the right direction.
  The recent negotiations that took place between Canada and the United 
States concerning the water quality in the Great Lakes region further 
solidifies the bond between us as we must work collectively to improve 
the condition of that shared natural resource.
  My district in south Florida benefits from a strong U.S.-Canadian 
relationship. Canada is Florida's top trading partner, and it is 
Florida's number one source of inbound tourism. According to a recent 
Canadian Government study, the Canada-Florida relationship is 
responsible for 432,000 direct and indirect jobs in Florida, 
representing 5.4 percent of all of Florida's employment.
  This resolution advances the continued partnership that the United 
States hopes to maintain with the Canadian people and with their 
government. I would like to extend my personal congratulations and 
gratitude to the Canadian people, and I would urge all of my colleagues 
to do the same by supporting H. Res. 519.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 519. I am 
happy to be one of the cosponsors, but it was introduced by my good 
friend and colleague, Bart Stupak, expressing appreciation to Canada 
for its long history of friendship with the United States and 
congratulating Canada on its celebration of Canada Day.
  Canada Day, otherwise known as ``Canada's birthday,'' celebrates the 
1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which united Canada as 
a confederation of four provinces. One of our closest friends and 
allies, I would like to thank the people of Canada and the government 
for their friendship and steadfast support of this country over many, 
many years.
  The relationship between the U.S. and Canada is among the closest and 
most extensive in the world. Our two countries maintain the world's 
largest trading relationship, exchanging the equivalent of $1.5 billion 
in goods each day. Canada is the single largest foreign supplier of 
energy to the U.S., including oil, uranium, natural gas, and 
electricity. In 2008, the U.S. imported energy from Canada worth $111 
billion, and every day about 300,000 people cross our shared border.
  In both the First and Second World Wars, we fought on the same side 
against tyranny and fought for freedom and peace and against threats to 
international security. When the U.S. was faced with the horrors of 9/
11, Canada, who also lost lives in the attack, stood by our side. In 
Afghanistan, Canada is our key NATO ally and is the leading contributor 
of combat forces to the alliances' International Security Assistance 
Force. The friendship and partnership between the countries is warm and 
enduring, and this resolution tries to recognize that, so I thank Mr. 
Stupak for authoring it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I request just 1 minute of time to close.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to thank Mr. Stupak. Also having 
grown up in Cleveland, Ohio, and right over the border from Canada, I 
had the opportunity to spend many great years visiting.
  I would also like to acknowledge the consul general from Miami, Marcy

[[Page H8555]]

Grossman, who I had the opportunity to visit with recently before she 
left to return.
  This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our two countries on 
this special Canada Day.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for H. Res. 519 and join with our neighbors to the North in 
celebration of Canada Day.
  On July 1st, 1867, the British North America Act went into effect, 
officially uniting the British North American colonies into one self-
governing federation called Canada.
  Earlier this month, Canadians across North America celebrated the 
anniversary of their country's birth, their long tradition of 
democracy, and their national achievements.
  The United States shares in the celebration of this special day 
because we have strong economic, political and cultural ties with 
Canada.
  Washington State's 2nd Congressional District, which I represent, 
contains over 60 miles of our common border with Canada. As a member of 
the Northern Border Caucus, I view our partnership with Canada as one 
that is vital to both of our countries' national security and economic 
prosperity.
  With nearly $600 billion in goods and millions of people crossing the 
border each year, Canada is not only the United States' largest trading 
partner, but also a key international ally.
  In addition to sharing a common border that spans more than 5,500 
miles, the United States and Canada share a deep commitment to 
democratic principles. It is because of this commitment that our 
governments have worked so closely to address the common challenges we 
face, such as narcotics and terrorism. And it is in defense of these 
same democratic principles that our servicemen and women have fought 
side by side in Afghanistan and throughout the world.
  I congratulate Canada on the occasion of the 142nd Canada Day and I 
look forward to celebrating with them for many years to come.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 519.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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